Prince of Madinah Region Inaugurates The New Central Dates Market

Prince of Madinah Region Inaugurates The New Central Dates Market

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of the Madinah Region and Chairman of the Region’s Development Authority Council, affirmed that the palm and date sector is one of the strategic pillars of the national economy, owing to the generous support and care it receives from the wise leadership—may God preserve it. He explained that this attention has contributed to enhancing the competitiveness of dates and increasing their presence in global markets, in addition to their pivotal role in the local economy.

This came during His Highness’s inauguration of the Madinah Central Dates Market within the Food City. The market’s first phase was established on an area exceeding 37,000 square meters as part of the region’s municipal investment projects.

His Highness indicated that the Madinah Region possesses an exceptional comparative advantage in date production and its processing industries, thanks to the diversity of its varieties and their high quality. This gives its products advanced competitive capabilities and enhances its leading position on both the national and global levels.

He clarified that the opening of the Madinah Central Dates Market represents a qualitative leap in organizing and developing this vital sector. It does so by creating a modern, strategic platform that supports producers and farmers and opens broader horizons for marketing their products, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030 to diversify the national economy.

The Central Dates Market is considered one of the main platforms within the “Food City” project and embodies a qualitative shift in organizing and marketing food products.

The city spans an area of one million square meters and includes central markets for vegetables, fruits, meat, and poultry, alongside an integrated system of logistical services. It is located at the strategic intersection of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Road (the Third Ring Road) and Ali bin Abi Talib Road.

His Highness, the Governor of the Madinah Region, also sponsored the events of the “That Nakhil” (She Has Palm Trees) forum for luxury dates. The forum brings together experts, specialists, farmers, and producers to exchange expertise and showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the date sector. During his tour, he visited the “That Nakhil… History and Civilization” exhibition and museum and listened to an explanation of the services that provide an enriching experience for visitors. The exhibition reflects the history of Madinah through photographs, archaeological inscriptions, and interactive displays, forming a link between the past, present, and future of this vital sector.

Subsequently, the second phase of infrastructure work for the Central Dates Market was launched. This phase includes expanding facilities and enhancing operational services. The establishment of the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market within the Food City project was also announced, a step that reflects the ongoing expansion in developing Madinah’s food system.

Prince Salman bin Sultan also sponsored the signing ceremonies of bilateral partnerships and cooperation agreements between the Madinah Logistics Services Company (the project developer) and “Bunyah Al-Mamlaka” Company (one of the companies of Samawal Holding) to launch the second phase of the Food City project. Additionally, two partnerships were signed with both “Sadin Al-Madinah” Company and “Masoun” Company (from the companies of Al-Maqar Company, the investment arm of the Region’s Municipality). The aim is to manage, operate, and maintain the facilities and provide digital solutions to raise the operational performance level of the Central Dates Market.

A cooperation agreement was also signed between the German company “Food Ab” and “Khirat Takafful for Industry” Company of the Takafful Charitable Association for Orphan Care. The agreement is for purchasing and supplying dates produced from the association’s farms, providing a sustainable resource that supports orphan care programs in the region.